§ Dr. WrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what meaning is attached to the concept of the named nurse in the patients charter; and if it is permissible for hospitals to meet this charter standard by designating a ward sister as the named nurse.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe named nurse standard is intended to ensure the continuity of and individual responsibility for patient care. It encourages partnership between the qualified nurse, or midwife or health visitor, and the patient so that care plans can be developed on a joint basis.
There are a variety of nursing methods in operation which can be adapted for use in applying the named nurse standard. In the small number of places where an appropriate scheme is not yet in use, ward sisters are allowed to operate as named nurses as an interim measure. The national health service management executive expects to publish a good practice guide to named nursing in June.
§ Mr. MilburnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses who achieved their basic qualification before 30 September in each year since 1987 were(a) in post in the NHS, (b) undertaking further training in the NHS and (c) not employed in the NHS one year after qualification.
§ Mr. SackvilleThis information is not available centrally.